Tourism Summit for Bali in January 2007

(5/5/2006)

The authoritative Indonesian Digest e-newsletter published by Ibu Wuryastuti Sunario reports the Government plans to stage the Tourism Summit in January of 2007 in an effort to boost Indonesia's flagging tourism image and to attract investments, said Coordinating Minister for Welfare, Aburizal Bakrie. Through concerted efforts, Indonesia aims to achieve the 10 million tourism arrival mark by 2009, and double revenue from the tourism sector to US$ 10 billion from US$ 4.6 billion earnings the country received in 2005.

Over 700 international stakeholders are expected to attend the Tourism Summit, which will be held on Bali. The Summit will be followed and enhanced by Sports events and international music concerts.

For 2007, a total budget of US$50 million is earmarked for activities coordinated by the Indonesia Promotion Board, whose duty will be to promote tourism and investments. This budget will be garnered from various budget allocations that are now scattered and with various department agencies. Minister Bakrie hopes that the Summit will also attract investments in tourism and related sectors, especially in those able to open up significant employment opportunities.